Inside the private dining room Ji Xia had a few extra drinks and grew light and unsteady. Her phone rang and she answered drowsily Zheng Wen had called on her behalf. A low steady voice came clearly through the line The address.
Half an hour later the door opened and the room fell instantly quiet. Every head turned instinctively. A man stood there in a perfectly tailored black shirt tall and striking so commanding he seemed entirely out of place among the gathering. He was devastatingly handsome yet his expression was cool and distant. His gaze swept over everyone before settling precisely on the small figure slumped at the table eyes hazy and drunk. The air seemed to grow heavy and still. Fu Yichen looked up and his face hardened into something unreadable.
Jiang Yanqin ignored everyone completely walking straight to her. He leaned down his tone softer than anyone there had ever heard it. Ji Xia come on let us go home.
She lifted her head smiling dazedly seeing him there Uncle Jiang you came…
The title hung in the air and every ear present pricked in shock. Jiang Yanqin reached for her lifted her easily into his arms holding her securely. The whole room stayed utterly silent not a sound nor a breath too loud. His presence was overwhelming instinctive awe keeping everyone still. He held her close and murmured Hold on tight. She nestled in unresisting and he turned and walked out never once glancing at anyone else.
Only when the door closed and that heavy weight lifted did anyone speak. Goodness someone breathed. Who is that He was terrifying another said pressing a hand to her chest. Then a classmate whose family ran a business spoke breathlessly It is Jiang Yanqin Founder of Chenzhou Technology I saw him in a business magazine I am certain. Chenzhou Technology That Jiang Yanqin And she called him Uncle Jiang Yanqin came himself to collect her and carried her like that.
In the back of the black Maybach Ji Xia rested against the leather seats warm with alcohol yet shivering from the hurt and embarrassment lingering inside. The car entered the tunnel and darkness wrapped around them. Then a cool hand touched her cheek brushing gently at the corners of her eyes where fresh tears had fallen.
She flinched slightly as his low voice came deep and quiet Do you like him that much.
She nodded sleepily Yes… I do.
What is so special about him Is he worth crying over his tone sounded calm yet edged with coldness.
She struggled to form words He is… handsome… clever… so gentle… she listed haltingly as if reciting something learned long ago.
A faint cold laugh came in the dark. Gentle His fingers caught her chin turning her face toward him his eyes dark and stormy. How many times was he gentle with you Enough to remember it always.
She frowned uncomfortable Uncle Jiang… it hurts… please…
He stopped instantly his grip loosening at once replaced by palms cupping her face tenderly brushing where he had held her too firmly. There is that better now.
She nuzzled into his warm hand relaxing like a cat Yes…
Silence fell again as he looked at her trusting and unguarded and a tangled mix of feelings rose up jealousy longing and something close to fear. He found himself needing to hear it needing to know. Tell me Ji Xia am I good to you.
She nodded without hesitation Yes… you are.
How good Better than him.
Her mind swam too confused to answer Both… good.
He pressed gently his tone firm yet soft Choose one. Who is better.
Something in his voice stirred a quiet warning and she answered small and meek Uncle Jiang is better.
His heart gave a sudden powerful leap a surge of almost overwhelming relief and joy rising in him And… do you like me.
She nodded vigorously Yes I do.
He could not help smiling How much.
She thought hard then gave the highest comparison she knew More… more than my mother’s younger brother.
The joy faded instantly replaced by a cold heaviness. An uncle. Still an elder. His expression darkened the air turning sharp and cold. Sensing the shift even through the haze she scrambled to correct herself And… like my father too Even more than him.
Each word struck deep. Father uncle… always the guardian always the relative. She drifted off then breathing softly asleep against his hand. He sat there motionless staring at her peaceful face then at his own hands that had held her so carefully now feeling foolish and hollow. He leaned back covering his eyes a bitter whisper escaping Jiang Yanqin you have fallen so low. Waiting until she is drunk just to hear her say those words.
He had built empires outmaneuvered rivals never hesitated never feared. Yet now he was afraid. Afraid that if he crossed that line he would lose even this the right to be near her. Afraid of the shock the distance the dislike she might show when fully awake. He lowered his hand his gaze lingering on her sleeping form brushing a strand of hair gently before pulling back quickly as if he dared not let himself linger.